Both sides were in the game from the off however it was the visitors who took advantage of slack marking to go 1-0 up. A corner from the left found former Hive defender Strachan unmarked and his header looped over Smith in the Hive goal. It wasn’t long before Stonehaven were back in the game. Good play by Martin Shand in the Stoneywood penalty area saw him brought down and Horne stepped up and saw his penalty only just creep in under the ‘keeper.

After 15 minutes Stonehaven were in front in slightly dubious circumstances. Buchanan picked the ball up on the left and laid it into the path of Lewis Shand whose mishit effort found Horne whose diving header found the back of the net.

The lead wasn’t to last and Strachan equalised in almost a carbon copy of his first goal, albeit from the other side.

Stonehaven were having the majority of possession, playing some good football at the same time and deservedly took the lead just before the half hour. Lewis Shand picked up the ball and cut inside before firing in a shot which took a deflection before finding the back of the net.

It should really have been 4-2 minutes later. Great work by Max Alexander down the right hand side saw the ball crossed into the middle but Horne headed over when Martin Shand was just behind him and looked as if he was in a better position.

The visitors found themselves down to 10 men soon after when Goodbrand was shown his second yellow for a needless foul on Steel.

Stonehaven did make it 4-2 before half-time after probably the move of the match. Lewis Shand played the ball into the feet of Martin Shand who knocked it to Horne who in turn laid it into the path of Alexander and he fired past the ‘keeper.

Horne should have had his hat-trick just moments after the restart when the ball was played in by debutant Scott Pyper but he just seemed to get under the ball and ended up putting it over the bar.

The second half failed to live up to the first and it wasn’t until the 60th minute that the first chance was created. Horne found himself in space 20 yards out and his shot was saved well by the visitors substitute ‘keeper Marwick. From the resulting corner the ball came to Buchanan who was unlucky to see his curling left foot effort go over the bar. It was 5-2 after 65 minutes following yet more good play by Alexander. He raced down the right beating two men before his cross was blocked for a corner. The corner fell to Martin Shand who made no mistake from 6 yards out for his fifth goal of the season. From there on in the Hive were the only team creating any real chances, albeit they were few and far between. Substitute Hughes did well to find Steel and he was unlucky not to score when his shot was well saved. Cormack was next to threaten after more good work from Hughes but his header was straight at the ‘keeper. STONEHAVEN: Smith, Pyper, Lewis Shand, Petrie (Sinclair), Reid, Croll, Alexander, Martin Shand, Steel, Horne( Cormack), Buchanan (Hughes). Subs: Mathieson, Glass, Low, Hay.